What is there to do in your garden in December? Well, it depends on where you live! Zone 9 and above can work on overwintering flowers and perennial veggies, harvesting crops that are still producing.  Zone 8 and below is mostly just maintaining what you've got. Your fall and winter garden doesn't need a whole lot of input right now as most plants have gone dormant with the lower daylight hours.  But no matter your zone, this is a great time to think ahead to next year and start planning....

Gardening can easily turn into an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to! In this episode, I'll share practical tips and essential strategies to help you cultivate a healthy and productive garden while keeping your budget intact. Thrifty Gardening Basics: Explore cost-effective methods like reusing containers and opting for basic watering techniques. Essential Budget-Friendly Tools: Discover must-have tools that make gardening easier without burning a hole in your pocket. Smart Seed...

Does it feel like gardening is an impossible activity to juggle with the chaos of parenthood? I hear you! As the mom of two kids age 2 and 4, I've got some practice with walking the line between involving my kids in the garden and taking my own quiet time among the plants and pollinators.     In this episode of Organic Gardening for Beginners, I share my personal journey and hard-learned tips on incorporating the magic of parenthood into your garden. I'll chat about embracing childhood...

One of the biggest roadblocks to starting a garden is being a renter, which is why today I am happy to bring you the latest podcast episode that will hopefully convince you it's not only doable, but totally worth it.  I the constraints of renting can be offputting, but this episode aims to break down those barriers and equip you with the tools to turn any rented space into a flourishing garden! You'll learn all about making the most out of the space you have and turning any limitations into...

Join me as I chat about the seemingly unrelated worlds of military life and gardening.  In this special Veterans Day episode, I draw from my own experiences as a military spouse, sharing how gardening became my source of joy, connection, and grounding during my husband's service in the US Marine Corps.  Listen in as I explain why it's worth cultivating a garden, even when you know you'll have to leave it behind for new duty stations.  Discover how gardening can provide a routine, offer a...

Another month, another checklist! Though considering we're heading into the shorter and colder winter months, the checklist isn't all that long this month. In this episode, we'll chat about some of the chores you can tackle, including taking care of your garden tools, mulching anything that you haven't yet covered, and Plus, if you're just itching to get your hands dirty and missing the growing season feels already, I've got three fantastic options for you: 1. Plant spring flower bulbs...

Let's explore a new approach to companion planting, where we focus on growing flowers alongside your vegetables (and herbs!). It's all about making gardening accessible, enjoyable, and multipurpose. Benefits of companion planting: 1. Attract Pollinators: Learn how mixing various flowers can increase pollinators and biodiversity. 2. Space Efficiency: Make the most of your garden space with various plant heights and growth habits. 3. Aesthetic Appeal: Add beauty and inspiration with flowers...

Gear up for a thrilling journey into the world of culinary herbs!  You'll walk away from this episode with a wealth of knowledge on how to cultivate your own flavor and pollinator powerhouse, from the warmth-loving basil to the cold-tolerant cilantro, and the surprisingly uncommon dill (even though it's so easy to grow!) We'll also chat about other herbs such as chives, parsley, mint, bee balm, and borage, discussing the unique characteristics of each herb, providing tips on the best ways...

Today, we're talking about which flowers you should plan to have in your garden next year, even if you're hesitant to give up some space for them. Some of these top 10 flowers are my personal favorites, but they earn their place here for anyone! From  great cut flowers to attracting pollinators to thwarting pests, these flowers are multi-purpose and beautiful in any garden. Here are the 10 flowers well be discussing: YarrowZinniaSunflowerAlyssumNasturtiumScabiosaMarigoldBlack-eyed...

Are you tired of saying goodbye to your garden as the winter season approaches? Do you wish you could enjoy fresh produce from your backyard year-round? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this episode post is for you! Season Extension: Demystifying the Concept Season extension is a simple concept that every gardener can employ, regardless of their experience level. It involves creating microclimates in your garden that can retain heat, thereby granting your plants a few...

Hey ho, it's October! What should you do in your garden this month? If you haven't noticed, it's fall! But it doesn't mean that our work in the garden comes to a halt. On the contrary, there's still plenty to be done and to learn in your garden this October. This post is designed to help you navigate through the unique tips and tricks to keep your garden thriving throughout the fall season. Keep Harvesting (and Tips To Ripen Your Tomatoes) Just because the summer heat has faded, it...

Winter might seem like the end of gardening season for many, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Off-season and indoor gardening can be a lifesaver for garden enthusiasts like us when winter rolls in and outdoor gardening slows down. While you might be ready for a break after a busy season, it's still tough to stop growing for months on end during winter. But, with the following six methods, you can keep growing even after the season ends. No need to stow away your garden gear just yet!...

Today, we're diving into the topic of preparing your garden for the upcoming winter season. While it's still September, it's never too early to start planning and taking action to ensure your garden thrives in the colder months. So, let's explore five important tips to get your garden winter-ready. Tip #1: Tidy Up Your Garden (But not too much) Remember last week when we discussed the summer slowdown in your flower garden and how to manage your plants? Well, this idea is quite similar. The...

Today we're talking about how to end the season in your flower garden with as much beneficial impact as possible. While it may be tempting to clean up and clear out, there are some steps you can take to ensure a smoother transition into the next gardening season. Saving Seeds As your flowers continue to bloom, it's an excellent time to start saving seeds. Focus on flowers with larger seed heads, such as sunflowers, cosmos, nasturtiums, and zinnias. Saving seeds from these plants can be an...

I'm back with another episode to help you maximize your gardening joy and productivity. In this episode, I'm helping you know what to do in your garden this month of September.    Here are the main points of this episode: 1. Maintaining your September garden: Your summer garden might be winding down, but there's still plenty to do. From managing powdery mildew to (still) providing water for birds and bugs, we went through a comprehensive checklist to keep your garden thriving. 2. Fall...

Are you a novice gardener ready to shake off the jitters and dive into the world of gardening? Or perhaps you're a seasoned grower looking to enhance your green thumb skills. No matter where you stand, I believe that every gardening enthusiast can find a place in the Gardener Success Timeline I’m about to share with you. From the excitement of a novice to the proficiency of a master, the journey through gardening can be an exhilarating ride. It's a timeline I've drawn up from my own years of...

⬇️ Get your Fall Garden Planting Chart to know exactly when to start seeds for your next phase of the gardening year. Did you know that companion planting can help keep your plants healthier and more productive this season? Companion planting works for every season, really, but in the fall, it's a perfect way to group plants so they give each other a boost in productivity, vigor, and health. Here are three ways you can use companion planting in your fall garden: ✅ Pairings that enhance the...

⬇️ Get your Fall Garden Planting Chart to know exactly when to start seeds for your next phase of the gardening year. Welcome the fall gardening season! As summer draws to a close, it's time to transition your garden and start preparing for the autumn harvest.  There are some big differences from spring garden starting, though, so today's episode will help you avoid a few mistakes that can leave you with dried out seed trays, wilted seedlings, or a killing frost taking your plants down...

⬇️ Get your Fall Garden Planting Chart to know exactly when to start seeds for your next phase of the gardening year. If you need a garden planner to start recording how your season has been going, check out this one I created this spring. I love it for tracking my seed starting schedule, when I'm starting to get harvests, and any plant issues I come across throughout the summer: Gardening Simplified Planner. Have you ever planted a fall garden? If not, this episode is for you!  In this...

⬇️ Get your Fall Garden Planting Chart to know exactly when to start seeds for your next phase of the gardening year.  If you need a garden planner to start recording how your season has been going, check out this one I created this spring. I love it for tracking my seed starting schedule, when I'm starting to get harvests, and any plant issues I come across throughout the summer: Gardening Simplified Planner. This episode will help you keep your garden's performance and health high,...

Don't let your spring garden fizzle! You can keep your flowers blooming all summer with just a few strategic tips.  Choose cut and come again flowers like zinnias, gomphrena, dahlias, cosmos, black-eyed Susan, sweet peas, and more for continuous blooming all summer.Provide regular plant care with proper watering and fertilization to support new blooms.Pruning or cutting back certain flowers like cosmos, black-eyed Susans, and snapdragons mid-summer can promote new growth and fresh...

Get ready to spruce up your green thumb! In this episode, I tackle the common gardening mistakes beginners often make, especially during summer.  From forgetting to deadhead your flowers to not harvesting regularly, discover how you can keep your garden productive and thriving all season long.  I also share an action plan geared towards maintaining a flourishing garden throughout the summer, including: when to replace plants that have run their coursehow to make the most out of your garden...

https://homegrownfoodandflowers.com/best-organic-mulch/ Study from Washington State University showing that wood chips don't harmfully affect the nitrogen levels in your garden: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wood-chips.pdf AWESOME RESOURCES: 🌱 My site and blog: https://homegrownfoodandflowers.com/ 💡Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Get a rundown of the garden maintenance chores you need to have on your July to-do list! In this episode, I delve into essential summer garden maintenance tips and strategies that keep my garden going every summer, ensuring my garden thrives no matter its size or type of plants. If your garden typically fizzles under the summer sun, then this episode can help you pull through this year. Learn about essential tasks such as watering, weeding, and trellising and get guidance on when and...

Ready to keep your summer garden beautiful and productive? This episode has essential July gardening tips, which will help you create a vibrant and flourishing outdoor space that you can be proud of. In July, your garden will benefit from a host of maintenance tasks. For instance, you should cut back spring flowers and vegetables that have completed their season. A pro tip here is to leave the roots in the ground. This simple act can be a game-changer for your soil health. It not only...